from the debate. polls show he is narrowing the gap, even tying president obama in some swing states after the president's poor performance. >> the president is his harshest critic. i think you can assume he's reviewed the tape and it will inform -- it will inform how he handles these future debates. >> reporter: sunday advisors claim mitt romney did a 180 on his campaign points and that threw the president off his game. opponents weren't buying it. >> it's not rocket science to believe the president is disappointed in the expectations he has for himself. i think part of that is we met a new mitt romney. >> the job of the president is to be competent and stand up for what he believes in and articulate what is wrong. mitt romney walked over him. >> reporter: one strategist takes the blame. >> i'm happy to take whatever people want to assign to me. >> reporter: unemployment numbers below 8% took away some ammunition on the economy. democrats are claiming sustained job gross. >> it's about middle class s